2019 Testimonial – Assistance for Derek

Recently, Bikers Down was able to assist Derek with some much needed funds to get on with his rehabilitation and cover expenses. His story is one of many injured motorcyclists in Nova Scotia in 2018. If you know anyone who might need assistance, please encourage them to apply. The fundraising has been tremendous for 2018 and we want to help.

This is Derek’s testimonial with the help of one of his close friends. Derek was injured in a motorcycle collision with a car on Highway 107.

June 2018

“I have just checked in to my new home on 8.3 ward of the Halifax Infirmary having been discharged from the intensive care unit. I am starting to now put some things together! Something has gone down and by looking at all the new hardware I’m now sporting it looks like it was me. The surgeons came for a visit to let me know that I am in for another ride but not the one I used to enjoy on my Yamaha FZ1.This ride is a really expensive bed with lots of controls. ‘no pipes here that sound really sweet’.

I was actually blessed that day when everything went really bad really fast. My deepest gratitude is to all the people that gave their all to keep me alive. I was told later that three volunteer firefighters laid on the pavement with me for fifty minutes before I was transported from Jeddore to Halifax because they didn’t want me to die alone.

As soon as I was able to move much later in my recovery, I asked my caregivers on 8.3 to please, please get me some wheels. They did because they knew I wasn’t letting that one go. Now I was rolling again; with broken feet, leg, pelvis and neck.

I loved my visits with my new neighbours especially the older patients. Since I can remember, seniors have always touched me in a very special way. I thank my mother for that. Once I was able to wheel around the floor I visited in the hall with one of my new friends. I heard about Biker’s Down from her daughter whose name escapes me. I feel bad that I can’t remember everything anymore but I have to let that go. I am hopeful it will get better one day.

I have been struggling since my release. My great friend Barry helped me with the Biker’s Down application. I mailed it off with hope. ‘I never give up on hope’. Tracy contacted me and we spoke on the phone. As she looked at the photos I posted to her she couldn’t believe I was still alive. She said ‘Jesus, I got to call Jimi and hung up the phone’. I laughed and thought to myself, I love Nova Scotia so much. We are real.

I am looking forward to meeting the people that make up and support this wonderful organization. And also to one day be part of all the amazing things you do for people that now have a new life different than what they have known before and are trying to make it the best it can possibly be. This is done with the love and support of friends, family and organizations like your own; past present and future.

Hopefully I will one day again be in the saddle.

I will end on this note, ‘dress for the crash’, doing that likely saved my life!